Public cautioned as first tropical depression this year enters Philippines

The Philippine government advised Sunday the public to take precaution as tropical depression locally called "Ambo", first to enter the country this year, has maintained its strength.

State weather forecasting Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its latest bulletin that Ambo was heading towards northern province of Aurora.

Tropical cyclone warning signal No.1 has been hoisted in five provinces in northern part of the country.

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas where warning signal has been up "are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides," Pagasa said.

Packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, Ambo is expected to weaken into low pressure area when it makes a landfall over Aurora province early Monday morning.

The Philippines is being visited by an average 20 typhoons every year.
Source:XINHUA